By Anthony Apubeo, GNA
Bolgatanga, Feb. 23, GNA – TEERE, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), in collaboration with the Ghana Federation of Disability (GFD), has called on stakeholders to play critical roles in the monitoring and management of the Disability Fund to improve the livelihoods of beneficiaries.
A statement copied to the Ghana News Agency and signed by Ms Rebecca Kajelo, the Media Relations Officer of TEERE, said the two bodies, at a two-day[G1] workshop in Bolgatanga, charged stakeholders to help in the monitoring system for an effective management of the Fund.
The programme, with funding support from STAR-Ghana, the UKaid, DANIDA and European Union, brought together the District Fund Management Committees (DFMCs), finance officers, municipal and district chief executives, representatives from the Upper East Regional Coordinating Council, Social Welfare Department and members of the GFD.
It was on the theme: “Transparency, Accountability and Management of the Disability Fund.”
Mrs Patience Avea, the Deputy CEO of TEERE, explained at the meeting that the Project’s goal was to establish an effective monitoring system to ensure that deserving beneficiaries had access to the Fund and used it appropriately to reduce poverty and improve their lives.
She said during the project implementation period, about three templates, including cheques payment to beneficiaries, were used to eliminate unnecessary interference, and attributed strong stakeholder networking to its successful implementation.
Mrs Avea said a well structured and user-friendly monitoring and evaluation system was provided to all People with Disability (PWDs) across the districts to make it easier for them to access the Fund and eliminate able bodied people from unduly benefitting from it.
This was to further enable the DFMCs to undertake effective regular monitoring to ascertain how the funds were being used by the beneficiaries.
She said it was also a means to enhance the knowledge of beneficiaries on the guidelines for the disbursement and management of the District Assembly’s Common Fund.
Mr David Aniah, the President for the Upper East Chapter of the GFD, said some beneficiaries misused the funds and urged them to use it for income generating activities to transform their lives and those of their families.
Mr Mahammadu Azonko, the Regional Coordinating Director, pledged the commitment of the RCC to supporting the projects of TEERE and GFD to effectively collaborate with the municipal and district assemblies in the Region to strengthen local governance, particularly with disbursement, utilisation and monitoring of the Disability Fund.
He urged the DFMCs to continuously engage PWDs on matters concerning the Fund to enable them to follow trends of events and appreciate the processes.
“I, therefore, encourage the GFD to sensitise its members on the new guidelines to be updated on issues regarding their funds”.
GNA
Read Full Story
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS